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When it comes to major autumn festivals in Miyagi Prefecture, the most famous is the annual festival of Osaki Hachiman Shrine, the main shrine of the Sendai domain, which has an annual land area of 620,000 koku
In addition, the Masamune Festival at Mt. Iwate, where the founder of the domain, Date Masamune, had his base before founding Sendai, is also known as a seasonal autumn event
The Jazz Festival, where a variety of music, mainly jazz, is played on street corner stages set up in various places, mainly along Jozenji Street, is also enjoyed as a festival that colors Sendai's autumn
When does the "Autumn Festival" start and end?
According to the calendar, the ``Ritshu'' of the 24 solar terms runs from August 7th to the day before the ``Risshu'' of November 7th, and if this is applied to Tohoku, it would be the end of the summer festivals held in various places in early August. It's autumn.
This article introduces festivals held from August 7th to November as ``Autumn Festivals'' according to the calendar.
What is the definition of festival?
Jozenji Street Jazz Festival Source: Miyagi Photo Digital Library
The definition of "matsuri" listed on Wikipedia is "the act (ritual) of worshiping the gods, Buddha, and ancestors for the purpose of gratitude, prayer, or solace."
On the other hand, there are ``music festivals'' and ``harvest festivals,'' which are different from the festivals held at shrines and other shrines, which have a long history and tradition, and these events where you can enjoy music and taste are also considered festivals in a broader sense.
In this article, we will introduce not only festivals, but also music festivals, gourmet festivals, and other autumn festivals that are fun to visit
Osaki Hachiman Shrine Annual Festival (Hachiman, Aoba Ward, Sendai City: September 1st to 17th)
The main shrine, built in the Gongen style by Date Masamune in 1607 (Keicho 12), is designated as a national treasure
The annual festival will feature dedications such as Noh Kagura, which is associated with the Date clan, and the 400-year-old traditional Yabusame ritual, and the parade of the large portable shrine on the 17th will be a highlight
The magnificent and splendid procession, with approximately 500 participants, is like a magnificent picture scroll depicting the majesty of the Sendai domain
It's a spectacular Yabusame that you definitely want to see up close!
Yabusame Source: Miyagi Photo Digital Library
Yabusame is a Shinto ritual in which three archers aim at three targets three times, shooting a total of nine arrows
When shooting an arrow, the archer must let go of the reins of the horse, so the horse and the archer must become one. In this tense atmosphere, when the arrow hits the target, the spectators erupt in cheers, creating a lively atmosphere
Come and experience the exhilarating feeling of seeing a large horse disappear before your eyes and being hit by an arrow
September 14th (Thurs.): Offering Ceremony (Shrine) 15:00, Noh and Kagura Performance (Kagura Hall) 18:30
9/15 (Fri): Annual Festival (Shrine) 10:00
September 16th (Saturday): Folk performing arts festival (Kawamae Deer Dance, Kawamae Sword Dance, Sanuma Deer Dance, Wasedani Deer Dance), Children's Festival
September 17th (Sunday): Shinko Festival (mikoshi procession through the town) and Yabusame Ritual
"Triangle Fried Tofu" - a must-try treat if you visit Osaki Hachiman Shrine
Although it is in the same Aoba ward as Hachiman Shrine, it takes about 40 minutes by car, but you should definitely try the triangular fried tofu at Jogi Tofu Shop, which was founded in 1890 and is located on the approach to Jogi Nyorai (Gokurakuzan Saihoji Temple)
As a Buddhist vegetarian dish, thick, freshly fried tofu is made from soybeans and natural bittern. Enjoy it with soy sauce and garlic shichimi (seven-spice seasoning), and the crispy, fragrant exterior and the delicious flavor of the soybeans will fill your mouth
Soy milk, which can be enjoyed hot in the winter and iced in the summer, is also popular, and the shop is always bustling after being featured on a TV program by Sandwichman, a comedy duo from Sendai
Triangular Fried Tofu <Information>
Store name: Definition Tofu Store
Address: 1-2 Okura Shimomichi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
Masamune Festival (Iwadeyama, Osaki City: September 8th)
Statue of Date Masamune at Iwadeyama-Yubikan Station
Before Masamune Date, the founder of the Sendai domain, built Aoba Castle, he lived in Iwadeyama Castle
The Masamune Festival began in 1964 (Showa 39) when the "Masamune Peace Statue" was moved from the ruins of Sendai Castle to the ruins of Iwadeyama Castle
This festival allows you to enjoy a Sengoku period picture scroll unfolding in the town of Iwadeyama, also known as "Little Kyoto."
A procession of mounted warriors and armored warriors reminiscent of a Sengoku period picture scroll
Date Masamune Source: Miyagi Photo Digital Library
The highlight of this festival is the procession of mounted warriors and armored warriors dressed as Date Masamune, along with his vassals such as Katakura Kojuro and Date Shigezane, parading through the streets of Iwadeyama
A reenactment of a flashy army known as "Datemono" (Date-mono). Source: Miyagi Photo Digital Library
This is a reenactment of the story of how, in 1592 (the first year of Bunroku), Toyotomi Hideyoshi ordered Hideyoshi to leave Iwadeyama Castle to lead 3,000 soldiers to march on the Korean Peninsula (the Bunroku War), and you can see the heroic warriors up close
Masamune Festival <Information>
Name: Masamune Festival
Event period: Sunday, September 8, 2024
Location: Iwateyamacho, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture
Contact: Osaki City Iwadeyama General Branch Office Regional Promotion Division
"Komippanashidon" is a local dish unique to Iwadeyama
Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library
Unlike regular frozen tofu that is simply exposed to cold and dried, the frozen tofu from the Iwadeyama region is frozen and matured, then soaked in water to thaw, squeezed out the water, and frozen again, resulting in soft and easy-to-eat frozen tofu
locally as " komippanashi ," is deep-fried like a cutlet and topped with beaten egg and broth, creating a soft and juicy katsudon-style dish that can be enjoyed not only in this area but also at Naruko Onsen.
Jozenji Street Jazz Festival (Aoba Ward, Sendai City: September 7th-8th)
Source: Miyagi Photo Digital Library
This jazz festival, which will celebrate its 33rd anniversary in 2024, began as a live jazz concert held at L-Park Sendai (commonly known as 141), which opened on Jozenji-dori in 1987 (Showa 62) in Kotodai Park in Sendai city
The concert then became an annual event and was held until 1990 (Heisei 2), and from 1991 (Heisei 3) it began to be held on outdoor stages on street corners, mainly along Jozenji-dori, as it is today
The building entrance was also used as a stage. Source: Miyagi Photo Digital Library
It was then renamed the "Jozenji Street Jazz Festival (JSF)," and as the number of stages and performing groups increased, music genres other than jazz began to be featured
In 2019, it became Japan's largest music festival, attracting over 700,000 spectators, but was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.When it resumed in 2022, only 200,000 people attended, so expectations are high for an even more exciting 2024
Choose your music genre for each area and stage
Source: Miyagi Photo Digital Library
The eve and main festivals will be held over two days, and in addition to Jozenji-dori, Kotodai Park, Ichibancho, Nishi Park, Aoba-dori, and the Sendai Station West Exit Pedestrian Deck, approximately 30 stages will be set up in 2024
Each stage is divided into different genres such as big band, blues, fusion, gospel, soul, R&B, and Japanese instruments, and the style is to move around and enjoy the music according to your preferences
A music festival run by the people, for the people
All staff are volunteers. Source: Miyagi Photo Digital Library
The festival is run by subsidies from Sendai City and corporate sponsorship, with the performing bands covering operating costs, and donations and sponsorship from citizens who visit the venue on the day. However, funds are somewhat insufficient, so fundraising activities are also being carried out
A major feature of the Jozenji Street Jazz Festival is that it is a music festival organized by volunteers from the citizens of Sendai, and all performances are free to attend
Jozenji Street Jazz Festival <Information>
Name: Jozenji Street Jazz Festival 2024
Event period: Saturday, September 7th to Sunday, September 8th, 2024
Location: Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture (around Jozenji-dori Street)
For inquiries, please contact: Jozenji Street Jazz Festival Association (public corporation)
Hamburgers from Hosoya Sandwich, a B-grade gourmet restaurant in Kokubuncho near Jozenji Street
Sendai is famous for its "Zunda" and "Beef Tongue," but in Kokubuncho, near Jozenji Street, is a restaurant that has been serving Japan's oldest hamburgers
Hosoya Sandwich located in the heart of Kokubuncho , is a simple hamburger consisting of a 100% Wagyu beef patty tossed in homemade sauce and mayonnaise, topped with thinly sliced onions, sandwiched between buns.
The hamburgers are available for takeout, so you can enjoy the live show while munching on one
In addition to the autumn festivals introduced here, other festivals scheduled to be held Tome Autumn Festival , the Sacred Deer Antler Cutting Festival , and the Kuranomachi Murata Hotei
there are various festivals to enjoy, such as Sendai Classical Festival in October, where you can enjoy classical music the Michinoku Yosakoi Festival which is held in various places in the Yosakoi style
Autumn Festival Series of the Six Tohoku Prefectures
I am a former Edo guy who loves Morioka, loves the six prefectures of Tohoku, and loves history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. We'll introduce you to some interesting, delicious, and good things about Tohoku!
